Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday launched the National Community Food Bank Programme in the North-East as part of efforts to address hunger and malnutrition in the region.
The initiative was unveiled in Maiduguri, Borno State, during her official visit to the state.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu said the programme was designed to provide nutritional support for vulnerable groups, particularly children and mothers.
“It is a great honour to be here. This is the first assignment during our visit to Borno, and it is focused on the wellbeing of our children and mothers,” she said.
She added that the project would help combat malnutrition while strengthening food access across communities in the region and beyond.
The programme, which was earlier launched in Abuja, had attracted pledges exceeding N66bn from both public and private stakeholders.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, had disclosed that the funding commitments were secured during the inauguration of the programme’s Board of Trustees.
Among major contributors, the Aliko Dangote Foundation pledged N20bn in-kind support over five years, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited committed N10bn within the same period.
Other donations included N500m from the Emeka Offor Foundation and $500,000 contributed by associates of the First Lady.
In addition, President Bola Tinubu approved a N17bn intervention fund through the Social Action Fund to support the initiative.
The National Community Food Bank Programme is structured to establish food banks in all local government areas nationwide, linked to primary healthcare centres supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.
It is expected to provide nutritious, locally sourced food through a voucher system targeting malnourished children under six, pregnant and nursing mothers, orphans, and other vulnerable households.
